"Abra!"
The Psychic Arena extends outwards.
"Togepi!"
Togepi also poked its head out from Natsuhiko's arms, waving its glowing little hands, as tiny specks of crystalline light slowly descended from the sky, immersing into Beedrill.
Dawn!
Even though the lighting on this island wasn't great, it was at least facing south, and situated on a relatively open mountain. Although Dawn didn't achieve its maximum effect, it still provided Beedrill with some healing.
Besides the Dawn technique, Togepi also provided Beedrill with Prayer and Lucky Spell.
Druddigon's attack was still very high. If it hit a critical point, it might instantly knock out Beedrill.
And Druddigon's three traits of rough skin, forcefully, and breaking the rules are all very good traits. The specific trait of the Druddigon in front of them is unknown for now, but regardless of which one it is, Beedrill, already at a strength disadvantage, has a tough fight.
Moreover, both Abra and Togepi are only at the Excellence Level. Even if they support and coordinate with each other, confronting a Druddigon across a two-level gap is still very unwise.
So, it all depends on Beedrill.
If there's a chance, Natsuhiko might attempt to capture this Druddigon. Whether to sell it, use it as temporary protection, or show off in front of Lance, all are good choices.
Of course, this is under the premise of having a chance; if the strength gap is too great, then retreating is the only option.
However, this Druddigon's combat intuition isn't low.
Seeing the extended Psychic Arena and Togepi continuously dropping supportive techniques, it didn't give Beedrill a chance to perform "Sword Dance" to stack advantages, charging towards Beedrill with heavy, rugged steps.
The sharp claws once again glowed with a blue-violet hue, delivering a powerful, heavy strike.
Having felt Druddigon's strength, Beedrill didn't dare to meet it head-on, quickly flapping its wings to evade, accompanied by arcs of electricity and faint airflow. Beedrill timely dodged Druddigon's attack.
And Beedrill finally found a slight faint advantage for itself.
Speed!
However, Beedrill's speed advantage is not very obvious. It barely serves for emergency escape, but trying to defeat Druddigon with speed is too difficult.
The strength difference is quite large. Even with Abra and Togepi's assistance, it's hard to completely bridge the gap in hard power.
Perhaps, if both Abra and Togepi could rise to the Senior Level, under dual support, Beedrill's strength might temporarily elevate a notch.
But for now…
Bzz——
Beedrill flapped its wings to dodge the Dragon Claw attack, flashing behind Druddigon, attempting to find a way to counter from behind.
Crossing its Double Needle, the Cross Cut aimed directly at Druddigon's back and struck.
However, Druddigon seemed to have anticipated this, its thick tail swinging, enveloped with purple Dragon Energy, responding with a Dragon Tail technique.
"Togepi!"
Natsuhiko frowned deeply, speaking in a low voice.
"Togepi!"
Togepi understood, its whole body shimmering with an enticing white light, blinking playfully at Druddigon.
Big bro, look at me...
Druddigon's sight and attention were indeed drawn by Togepi, but due to the significant strength gap between them, Druddigon's willpower wasn't weak. After a brief stiffness in the body, the Dragon Tail continued to lash out like a strong whip.
"Abra!"
Abra also took action, its eyes glowing blue, psychic powers attaching to Druddigon's tail, attempting to slow its speed and power.
Togepi likewise utilized Secret Power, evolving into the Telekinesis technique in the Psychic Arena. The effect of the Celestial Grace trait was triggered, reducing Druddigon's speed while delaying its Dragon Tail's speed.
Of course, Beedrill's ability to seize opportunities was also strong, not wasting the chance created so laboriously by Togepi.
Cross Cut successfully hit Druddigon's back.
Bang!
With a muffled sound, Druddigon's steps involuntarily staggered forward a little.
But in the next second, the purple Dragon Tail still struck Beedrill.
The gap between Abra, Togepi, and Druddigon was still too large; they merely slowed the Dragon Tail's speed, allowing Beedrill to land its attack, but insufficient to halt Druddigon's strike.
Whoosh——
Unable to assume a defensive position, Beedrill was directly flung away, crashing hard onto a distant tree, the massive impact causing the trunk to crack, appearing on the verge of breaking.
"Beedrill!"
Natsuhiko's face changed suddenly.
"Hiss...Bee!"
Beedrill stumbled, wobbling as it rose from the ground, the wound on its abdomen somewhat ghastly.
Fortunately, sudden specks of milky-white light emerged from its body, flickering with a gentle halo and converging towards its wound.
The wound slowly healed, its heavy breathing also easing somewhat.
Togepi's earlier Prayer technique at this moment helped Beedrill endure the damage inflicted by Druddigon's Dragon Tail.
Though the surface wounds appeared healed, the overall injury wasn't so easily repaired.
Yet this collision alone led Natsuhiko to quickly make a decision.
"Abra!"
The damage Beedrill inflicted on Druddigon didn't compare to the damage Druddigon caused to Beedrill. Such a battle needn't continue; even with Togepi's healing, Beedrill might not endure to the end.
Abra understood Natsuhiko's intent, the Psychic Arena rapidly contracting, enveloping Beedrill, Natsuhiko, and Togepi.
Psychic power expanded and then rapidly contracted.
Instant Movement whisked them away from Druddigon's sight.
"Roar!!"
A resounding dragon roar shook the mountains and forests.
Seeing its prey escape like this, Druddigon was furious.
The ones who suffered became the surrounding wild Pokémon.
...
...
Meanwhile.
With the help of Abra's Instant Movement, Natsuhiko and the Pokémon appeared at the dock outside the town.
"Beedrill." Natsuhiko supported Beedrill, Abra also using psychic power to ease Natsuhiko's burden. Togepi continuously waved both hands, specks of Dawn steadily falling from the sky, merging into Beedrill.
"Hiss...Bee..."
Beedrill was full of remorse and guilt.
It was still lacking in strength; otherwise, facing that Druddigon, perhaps there would've been no need to flee.
Not only it, but Abra and Togepi felt the same.
If their strength could be a bit stronger, perhaps they could have assisted Beedrill, not forcing all the burden onto it.
Even Togepi, usually not one to be overly competitive, was somewhat unwilling seeing Beedrill's injuries,
Natsuhiko gently touched the wound on its abdomen, speaking slowly, "It's alright, we were unprepared this time, the attack was sudden. Next time, once we're fully equipped and repaired, we'll get our revenge."
His eyes flickered as he looked toward the mountain.
Initially, his exploration of this island was aimless.
But now.
It's different.
Failing once is nothing; it's not the first failure Natsuhiko and Beedrill have experienced, and they quickly adjusted their mindset, aligning their goals.
This time.
If he doesn't capture this Druddigon to show the Dragon-type Trainer, he's not leaving!
Knowing the opponent's situation allows for targeted preparation and some specialized training.
Of course, the primary task now is restoring Beedrill to its optimal state.